ECG 100 Our Interdependent World Final Reflection Paper

Instructions: I would like you, in this final paper, to think about the experiences in the course that have had the greatest effect on you and to explain the effect these experiences have had on you. Farther down, I will list components of the course. Please choose the ones that have been most significant to your learning and transformation, explain what worked, and what effect it had on you.

On DAY 1, I set these goals for the course. Do you think that you have achieved these goals? (I have rephrased the goals as questions.)

  • Goal 1: Learn about ordinary people who became extraordinary and find out what it takes for us all to do extraordinary things. To do this, you will reflect upon and critique your own personal core values in light of theories of social justice. What have you said to yourself about you yourself doing extraordinary things in support of social justice?
  • Goal 2: As you read the stories of Paul Farmer and Paul Rusesabagina, did you document, analyze, and critique your own personal story by comparing and contrasting yourself with them? Did you take away personal lessons for yourself?
  • Goal 3: Did you come to appreciate how interconnected and interdependent we are with those around the world. Did you inspect your own connectedness -- spiritual, cultural, political, and economic -- to other social groups near and far?
  • Goal 4: Did you think about groups that work for social justice, like Catholic Relief Services and Partners in Health, and how they go about tackling the root causes of injustice and not only provide charity?
  • Goal 5: Were you inspired to learn how you, as Communication majors, can give voice to the voiceless around the world. Did you think about how students like Jillian, Kara, Christine, Brittany make a difference even in college as Communication majors? Did you think about how you will use your talents and skills in partnership with others around the world.
  • Goal 6: Did your writing improve as a result of the course? What have you learned about writing by going through multiple drafts; getting feedback from Jillian; one-on-one writing conferences with her or me; and the ongoing practice of drafting and revising? 
  • Goal 7: How has this course changed your perception of social justice in this world?  How does this change your perception of your own role in shaping a more just society
 
You can do your paper in 1 of 3 ways.

a) Either work from these goals and bring in as example experience from the list on page 3
or
b) Work from the list of experiences on page 3 and bring in the goals
or
c) Write about your transformation this semester and bring in the goals and the course experiences.

Also write:
Write about your effort: Which three (3) adjectives best describe your efforts this semester?

Also write:
What is your advice: What advice do you have for faculty who teach the ECG 100 next year?

Paper details: This paper should be about 5-7 pages long, but it can be longer if you need to write more to say what you feel. Please send it to me as an attachment to an email or upload it to BBVista. YOU MUST NAME THE FILE "YourLastNameECG100Final.doc"

Please note: you are also responsible for completing the on-line EBI evaluation of the pilot ECG course; you will not receive your grade for this class until you do so.

What we did this semester

-Books you read:

-Class trip to Media to learn about Fair Trade:

-Working as a multimedia reporter

-Meeting Cabrini students dedicated to social justice

-Our Class Discussions

-Speakers who came to speak with us:

-Global Solidarity Network experiences:

-Films in class -- on Fair Trade, on Paul Farmer, on Rwanda, on Migration.